Two Questions abt HF trlr

[rickp]

Started my build and I have a couple of questions?

1. How much do you tighten the castle nuts on the axle?

2. How much torque should you place on the axle u bolts?

I couldn't find the answer to either of these in the assembly book.

Thanks in advance for any info... Rick

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Castle nut should be drawn down snug against the washer, and then backed off just enough to get the cotter pin in. The hub should then turn freely, without any wobble. The nuis on the U bolts should also be drawn tight enough that there's no slop in the axle, and then the second nut on each leg of the U-bolt should be drawn tight against the first nut. Hope that makes sense.

*edit*
I just opened up the manual and it reminded me that there are only single nylon insert nuts on the U-bolts, and not doubled-up regular nuts. So you'll just draw the nylon insert nuts down tight. No special torque required.

[KCStudly]

In the technical world the phrase is, "good machinist practice".

If you want to be particular, there are standard torque tables that you can use to look up a recommended torque value (using size of thread, type of lube, material for bolt and nut, thread pitch and class, etc.), but .... just make the u-bolts tight without trying to twist them off like a g-o-rilla and you will be fine. And it is never a bad idea to give everything a once over after being in service for a little while.

Ever notice how box wrenches get longer as they go up in size? There is a corollary between the strength of an average man and the length of a given size wrench.

On wheel bearings, some sources specify using a modest torque to make sure that the bearings are seated, then backing off and using a rather light toque to pre-stress the bearings (Timken taper bearings actually call for pre-stress, but they won't specify it for a given bearing because they want to engineer it to the application). However, I am with Zach, just snug them up a bit while turning the hub until you feel it start to drag a little (don't lock it up!) then, if needed back off to get the pin in. The hub should turn freely with no real drag (although there may be some due to the seal and grease), but you should not be able to perceive any up down or side to side "wink".

[rickp]

Thanks for the replies. I will snug down the u bolts. The castle nuts I will snug till I feel tension then back off. Great comment about checking after a couple of road trips, I will definitely do that.